The monthly payment is based on the price of this vehicle assuming it is financed. If you choose to lease, you can also use the payment calculator to determine your lease terms. Default values for financing include: Term of months, APR of , and Sales Tax of . Default values for leasing include: Term of months, Money Factor of , Residual Value of , and Sales Tax of .

Supplies of the 2018 Escalade remain good relative to demand. As usual, the upper-level Premium Luxury model makes up the bulk of dealer inventory.

The mid-level Luxury is harder to find, and the Standard model doesn't seem to exist. The line-topping Platinum remains rare and often commands a premium price.

The carryover 2019 Escalade continues arriving at dealers, and already comes with a factory rebate. Dealer discounting is common on both models year.

Current factory offers will remain in effect until Janaury 2, 2019 and are available nationally unless otherwise noted.

Huge savings on 2018s:

All buyers will receive a $5,000 rebate on the 2018 Standard model, $6,000 on the Luxury model, or $7,000 toward the Premium Luxury and Platinum. These are very generous amounts for the Escalade.

In addition, most dealers are offering in-house discounts of around $3,000. Buyers who finance through GM will also receive a $2,000 finance bonus, bringing your total potential savings to a heady $12,000.

The initial rebate on the 2019 Escalade is $1,000 on all trims. Besides that, you can expect dealer discounting of up to $3,000.

What to expect on a lease:

You can now lease a 2019 Escalade in Luxury 4WD trim from $919 for 30 months (10,000 miles a year) with $5,779 due at signing.

With an effective monthly cost of $1,112, this isn't a particularly good value. We'll probably see more favorable terms in the new year.

Lease specials on the 2018 Escalade have ended.

Low rate + cash:

In place of the standard rebate on a 2018 Escalade, you can get 0% financing for 36 months, plus $2,000 in down payment assistance. Cadillac also offers 0.9% for 48 months, or 1.9% for 60 months.

As for 2019 Escalade, you can get 0.9% for 48 months, or 1.9% for 60 months, in addition to the $1,000 factory rebate.

What's in store:

Supplies of the 2018 Escalade remain good relative to demand. As usual, the upper-level Premium Luxury model makes up the bulk of dealer inventory.

The mid-level Luxury is harder to find, and the Standard model doesn't seem to exist. The line-topping Platinum remains rare and often commands a premium price.

The carryover 2019 Escalade continues arriving at dealers, and already comes with a factory rebate. Dealer discounting is common on both models year.

Current factory offers will remain in effect until Janaury 2, 2019 and are available nationally unless otherwise noted.

Huge savings on 2018s:

All buyers will receive a $5,000 rebate on the 2018 Standard model, $6,000 on the Luxury model, or $7,000 toward the Premium Luxury and Platinum. These are very generous amounts for the Escalade.

In addition, most dealers are offering in-house discounts of around $3,000. Buyers who finance through GM will also receive a $2,000 finance bonus, bringing your total potential savings to a heady $12,000.

The initial rebate on the 2019 Escalade is $1,000 on all trims. Besides that, you can expect dealer discounting of up to $3,000.

What to expect on a lease:

You can now lease a 2019 Escalade in Luxury 4WD trim from $919 for 30 months (10,000 miles a year) with $5,779 due at signing.

With an effective monthly cost of $1,112, this isn't a particularly good value. We'll probably see more favorable terms in the new year.

Lease specials on the 2018 Escalade have ended.

Low rate + cash:

In place of the standard rebate on a 2018 Escalade, you can get 0% financing for 36 months, plus $2,000 in down payment assistance. Cadillac also offers 0.9% for 48 months, or 1.9% for 60 months.

As for 2019 Escalade, you can get 0.9% for 48 months, or 1.9% for 60 months, in addition to the $1,000 factory rebate.

Cash Incentives

Incentive available to most customers and purchasing situations.

Rebate

Amount

Bonus Cash: Cadillac Consumer Cash Program (Expires 1/2/19) Customer Rebate: Customers must take delivery of this vehicle prior to the expiration date to be eligible for this manufacturer rebate. This rebate may not be available on special factory orders or used in conjunction with special manufacturer financing or leasing programs. Other special financing programs may be available. Please check with your CarsDirect Trusted Dealer for complete details.

$7,000

Conquest Bonus Cash: Cadillac Conquest Purchase Program (Expires 1/2/19) Valid for owners of certain competitive vehicles. May not be compatible with certain other incentive types such as loyalty programs and other conquest offers. Please check with your CarsDirect Trusted Dealer for complete details.%NotesManuf% %Eligibility% Current non-GM (i.e., non-Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, or Saturn) owners/lessees are eligible for this offer. %Qualification% This offer can be transferred to individuals residing in the same household.

EligibilityThe GM Financial alternate APR Financing parameters in this message are "only" available for qualifying customers. Listed rates are available for A+ and A1 tier qualifying customers only.

Finance Bonus Cash: Cadillac Down Payment Assistance Program (Expires 1/2/19) Finance Bonus Cash available for qualified customers based on available credit when financing through manufacturer's captive finance company. Please check with your CarsDirect Trusted Dealer for complete details.%Qualification% This allowance must be used as down payment on an unsupported APR finance contract through GM Financial. Supported and unsupported leases and supported APR Contracts are not eligible for this program

$2,000

Conquest Bonus Cash: Cadillac Conquest Purchase Program (Expires 1/2/19) Valid for owners of certain competitive vehicles. May not be compatible with certain other incentive types such as loyalty programs and other conquest offers. Please check with your CarsDirect Trusted Dealer for complete details.%NotesManuf% %Eligibility% Current non-GM (i.e., non-Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, or Saturn) owners/lessees are eligible for this offer. %Qualification% This offer can be transferred to individuals residing in the same household.

$2,000

Leasing Incentives

Rebate

Amount

Incentives and Rebates

Hurry! Offer expires

2018 Cadillac Escalade Overview

Expert's Rating

3.85Good | Details

MPG

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is nearly as luxurious as SUVs get, providing drivers with a dynamic road presence, an upmarket cabin with three-row seating, formidable technology, and a lovely V8 engine. Competition includes the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Lexus LX570, and of course, the inimitable Land Rover Range Rover. But while consumers might cross-shop the Escalade with these brutes, there isn't one that can match the Caddy's panache or reputation in popular culture.

What's New for 2018

Cadillac has made several changes to the Cadillac for 2018. There are new exterior and interior color combinations, a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of last year's eight-speed unit, and more technology, such as an updated adaptive cruise control system.

Choosing Your Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade gets one engine option only – a 6.2-liter V8 that develops 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via the new 10-speed auto transmission. All-wheel drive is available for an extra $3,000.

Despite being a luxury-oriented SUV, the Cadillac still gives owners an impressive towing capacity of 8,300 pounds.

There are four trim levels – Base, Luxury, Luxury Premium, and Platinum. The only notable optional package is the Radiant Package, which adds seven-spoke 22-inch wheels, a restyled grille, and a chrome exhaust tip. It's available on the base trim for $3,905 and on the Luxury and Luxury Premium trims for $2,130. Among the individual items, we recommend $1,720 rear-seat entertainment system, which is standard on the Luxury Premium and above. The other major standalone option are a $1,750 set of power-retractable side steps (standard on the range-topping model).

The Luxury Premium trim comes in at $84,890. It gets features from the lower trims plus an electronic parking brake, illuminated door handles, and rear-seat entertainment with a nine-inch roof-mounted, BlueRay-capable screen. The driver assistance features are bolstered with adaptive cruise control, front and reverse automatic braking, and automatic safety-belt tightening.

The range-topping Escalade Platinum will set you back $93,990. Added features on the exterior are re-designed 22-inch wheels, LED cornering lights and power-retractable side-steps with illuminated lighting. On the interior, there is a thoroughly updated cabin with more upmarket materials, different upholstery, micro-fiber headliner, massaging front seats and upgraded rear-seat entertainment with two individual screens located on the front headrests.

CarsDirect Tip

The entry-level Escalade is well-equipped but the Luxury trim provides the best value for money thanks to its range of driver-assistance features. The Luxury Premium is a bit underwhelming, while the Platinum’s price-tag may not be appealing to most buyers.

Our Take: 2018 Cadillac Escalade

Despite its aging bones and truck-inspired construction, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade does an admirable job of keeping up with modern rivals. The powertrain is smooth and versatile, and the feature set will please passengers young and old. Best of all, the Escalade still has the brash and blinged-out style that made it such a hit.

Best Value

Many buyers will be happy with even a base Escalade, which is equipped with heated leather seats, a heated leather steering wheel, automatic parking assist, a WiFi hotspot, navigation, and a 16-speaker Bose sound system. The long-wheelbase ESV model adds extra cargo capacity, but all except the largest families won’t need it.

We’d spring for the Luxury trim for its upgraded safety technology. The Escalade’s body doesn’t get amazing scores in NHTSA crash testing, but Cadillac has done well keeping up with modern safety suites. The Luxury trim adds a bevy of sensors and assist features, along with automatic emergency braking and automatic high beams. As a bonus, you get extra-big 22-inch rims with chrome inserts. With all-wheel drive, it’s the multi-capable Escalade we’d have.

Model: 2018 Cadillac Escalade Luxury

Engine: 6.2-liter V8

Output: 420 hp / 460 lb-ft

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

MPG: 14 City / 21 Hwy

Options: Metallic Exterior Color ($625), All-wheel drive ($3,000)

Base Price: $81,590 (including the $1,295 destination charge)

Best Value Price: $85,215

Performance

Paired with a new 10-speed automatic, the Escalade’s 6.2-liter V8 is more than capable of managing the considerable bulk. The transmission itself is smooth and refined, and the engine’s cylinder deactivation technology works seamlessly. The Magnetic Ride Control means that even with the larger rims, the Escalade is planted and stable over potholes.

Still, don’t expect the Escalade to be much fun in the corners. The power-assisted steering is well calibrated, but at around 6,000 pounds, the Escalade has to reckon with vast inertia. This means muted handling and mediocre efficiency, although you probably weren’t buying the Escalade for its fuel economy. The car uses body-on-frame construction, which often introduces secondary motion and makes vehicles harder to handle. The chassis does a good job masking most of the ill effects, but the Escalade is still a truck in car’s clothing.

Style

Angular and extroverted, the Escalade remains one of the most recognized vehicles on the road. The grille is chrome-slatted and imposing, complementing sharp lines and Cadillac’s signature vertical taillights. The interior is swathed in leather, and upper trims offer some truly opulent configurations. Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system is clunkier than many, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help ease the difficulties.

If understatement is more your style, you’d best look elsewhere. The Escalade’s styling spectrum runs from loud to overwhelming, and it’s going to attract its share of attention. The Escalade’s enduring image means that driving one is a statement – conspicuous, expensive, and showy. It certainly makes an arrival, but it may not be for everyone.

The Best and Worst Things

The Escalade’s willing powertrain is complemented by a big personality, but also by an equally big curb weight.

Right For? Wrong For?

The Escalade is perfect for the parents who like everyone to know where they are in the after-school pickup queue. It can appeal to younger buyers, too. As a lifestyle statement, the Escalade still enjoys a special position in the world of SUVs.

It’s still more car than many buyers need. As crossovers and compact SUVs become ever more capable, the reasons to buy the biggest car on the lot dwindle. Buyers who value practicality (or humility) can save piles of cash by looking at less luxurious options.

The Bottom Line

Among premium SUVs, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade is still the one to beat. The interior is lavish, the engine has plenty of grunt, and the exterior ensures that everyone knows how much you spent. The Escalade will eventually need more substantial updates to keep up, but it’s a winning recipe for now.